Zen for Americans

by Soyen Shaku

Zen Master Soyen Shaku's vivid explanations of Buddist beliefs are published together with the Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters. This Sutra was the first collection of Buddha's sayings to be introduced from India into the Far East.

These lectures, plus essays written later e3specially for Americans, draw Westerners into the Zen frame of mind. Reading his description of the Buddhist idea of God, of Karma, or of reincarnation, is like resting in a Japanese garden: there are no excesses, every feature blesses you with radiant tranquillity.

Zen Master Soyen Shaku is a powerful, poetical writer who inspires simplicity and ease of movement in all our thinking and doing. He is a Zen Master who will not baffle you or bore you.

Genres: Buddhism, Zen, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Soyen Shaku was a Zen monk. He studied for three years at Keio University. He was the first Zen Buddhist master to teach in the United States.

Reviews

[David]

Zen for Americans is a deceptive title for this book. It collects translations of speeches given by Soyen Shaku when he toured the US in the early-twentieth century, translated and compiled by his student D.T. Suzuki. This book, as a whole, isn't as much an introduction to Zen Buddhism as a defense to clear up common (at the time) Western misconceptions. While Shaku does a wonderful job explaining basic concepts and ideals of Buddhism, this is not an instruction or introduction. If you are already familiar with most basic precepts of Zen teaching, this book is a compelling, enriching explanation of many central ideals. If not, a primer may be in order before picking up this text.

[Thjodbjorn]

One of the most useful books I have read in memory.